Piano-tuning key.



No. 729,804. PATENTED JUNE 2, 1903. M. STODDARD.

PIANO TUNING KEY.

APPLIOATION I ILED SEPT. 23, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

Patented June 2, 1901 ATENT Pl: ii iO-TUNiNG KEY,

SPEUKFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 729,804, dated J'une 2, 1903.

Application filed September 23,1902. Serial No. 124,588. No model) To all xix/1.0m it may concern Be it known that I, MiLO Sroonnnn, a citizen oi the United States, residing at Tampa, in the countyof Hillsboroanc tBtato ofFloi-ida, have invented a new and useful 'Piano'iuning Key, of'which the following is a specification.

Theinvontion relates to devices of that class employed fortuningstringed instruments, especially pianos, and has for its principal object to provide a tuningiinploment of simple and effective construction which maybe readily placed in position and moved along the wrest-plank for engagement with the tuningpins.

A further object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character with gearing so arranged as to permit the operator to place the strings under any tension withoutdillicnlty and with the exercise of comparatively small force, and, further, to provide the device with a support by which it may he properlyheld in position and at the same time permit the ready adjustmentfrom pin to pin as the tuning progresses.

A further object is to provide-a tuning-key with gearing connections so arranged as to permit of very delicate adjnstmentoi the tuning-pins.

W'ith these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, i lustrated in the ziccompa-nying drawings, and particularlypointedoutin the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in. the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a pers; ')ec'tive view of a piano-tuning instrument constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the instrument, illustrating the gearing connections between the operating-handle and the pin-engaging key. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views, on an enlarged scale, of the elarnp by which the device is secured in position. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a portion of the frame, partly in section, on the line (3 G of Fig. 3.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The device forming the subject of the present invention comprises, in general, a frame,

a key or wrench carried thereby and coin nected by gearing to an operating-handle, an elongated rod supporting said frame and of a. length about equal to ono-halfof the length of the string-frame of the piano, and a clamp loosely connected to the rod and adapted to be attached to one of the tuning-keys.

'lhe carrying-clamp comprises a pair of spring-jaws 1, having recesses in their inner faces for the reception of the angular end portion of a tuning-key, a thumb-screw 2 being passed through the jaws to permit the clamping of the latter on any desired key. At the top of the clamp is a circular stud 4, having rounded upper and lower shoulders, the upper end of the stud being reduced in diame* ter and threaded for the reception of a nut 5.

6 designates a round bar, which may be formed in sections, if desired, and at one end of said bar is an opening 7 for the reception of the pin or stud 4, the nut being screwedin place after the pin is passed through the opening, but the connection between the bar and. pin being sufficiently loose to permit a considerable range of movement of the bar, the latter being freely movable in acircular. path with the pin as a center, While the pin is of less diameter than the opening 7 to permitfree movementof the bar from and toward the wrest-plank.

1O designates an angular frame having an opening for the reception of the bar 6, said frame being freely movable longitudinally of the bar in order to permit its adjustment over any tuning-pin Within the length of thebar. This frame is provided with a bearing for the support of a spindle 12, having at its lower end a socket 13 for the reception of the tuning-pins. The upper end of the spindle is provided with a small miter-gear l4, intormeshing with a similar gear 15 on a pin or stud projecting from the frame 10. The gear 15 is preferably formed integral with a small Worm-Wheel 16, intermeshing with a worinl'i on a shaft 18, having at its upper end an op crating-handle 19. The shaft 18 is adapted to a removable bearing formed byacollar 20,

which passes through a suitable opening in the upper portion of the frame and is confined in place by a pin 21, the coliar serving also to maintain the Worm in proper position. The worm-gearing permits the operator to turn the tuning-pins to any desired extent with the exercise of but little force, and the construction and arrangement of the frame are such that the operator may engage tuningpins near the ends of the wrest-plank and close to the piano-casing at points Where the casing usually interferes with the tuning im-' place to place, the rod being preferably made of a numberof jointed sections to facilitate transportation.

In order that the, device maybe conveniently used for stringing where the tuningpin can be rapidly turned with but little exertion, a metal-lined socket 25 is formed at. one end of the operatinghandle It) for the reception of the tuning-pins. When used for stringing, the frame 10 and the parts carried thereby are removed from the rod and the socket 25'p'laced over the pin and used in the ordinary manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination in a timing instrument, of a tuning-key, a frame carrying the same and provided with a longitndinally-disposed guiding-opening, an operatinghandle also carried by the frame, gearing connecting the handle and key, a rod passing through the guiding-opening of the frame, and means for supporting said rod.

2. The combination inatuningimplement, of a rod, a supporting means for the rod, a frame adjustable longitudinally of the rod, a spindle carried by the frame and provided with a pin-receiving socket, a handled spindle also supported by the frame, and Wormgearing, connecting, the two spindles.

3. The combination in a tuning implement, of a rod, a supporting means for the red, a frame guided by and adjustable longitud nally of said rod, a spindle adapted to the frame and provided with a pin-receiving socket, a handled spindle, a worm thereon, a Worm-wheel supported by the frame and intermeshing with said worm, and miter-gearing connecting the worm-Wheel to the spindle having the pin-receiving socket.

4. 'lheco nbination inatuninginstrument, of a clamp adapted to be securedto aportion of the instrument to be tuned, a rod swiveled to the clamp, a frame provided with a rod-receiving opening, and a tuning-key carried by said frame.

5. Thecombination inatuningimplement, of a clamp comprising a pair of spring-jaws having recesses for the reception of a tuningpin, a thumbscrew for closing the clampingjaws, a pin carried by said jaws and having an upper threaded portion of reduced diameter, a rod or bar having an opening adapted for the reception of said pin, a securing-nut adapted to the threaded portion of the pin, a frame having 'a guiding-opening for the recoption of the rod, a spindle carried by the frame and provided with a pin-receiving socket, a handled spindle, a worm thereon, a

collar surrounding the spindle and serving to maintain the worm in proper posit-ion,a stud carried by the frame, a worm-wheel mounted on the stud and intermcshing with said worm, and miter-gearingconnecting thepo worm-wheel to the spindle having the pin-receiving socket.

(5. The combination in a tuning implement, of a tuning-key, a frame carrying the same,

an operating-handle also carried by the frame and having a socket for the reception of a tuning-pin when stringing, and gearing connecting thehandle and key, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as No 

